NEW YORK (1010 WINS/WCBS 880) – An FDNY fireboat led a parade of US Navy, Coast Guard, and international vessels, marking the beginning of the annual Fleet Week celebrations on Wednesday.
Among the impressive array of ships was the USS Bataan, the largest amphibious assault ship in the parade, carrying 1,400 sailors and Marines, sailed past the Statue of Liberty as it arrived in New York Harbor for the start of the 36th annual Fleet Week.
The parade of ships traveled past Battery Park and ended below the George Washington Bridge.
"We have no choice but to stay on course, stay on mission and in the fight if need be," Chief Foreign Officer Andrew Woods from Avondale, New Jersey, who oversees the maintenance on the USS Bataan told 1010 WINS’ Marla Diamond.
Sailors and Marines lined the perimeter of the impressive USS Bataan, which docked at Pier 88 after an extensive deployment that began with fighting wildfires in southern Europe and concluded in the Red Sea.
"It is good to be home,” Woods said. “The fun side of it is we're going tomorrow night to see Jimmy Fallon be taped, and then I got to get a slice of pie while I'm in New York. Stop by a deli, get a good bagel with a smear. I gotta do it all."
Over 3,000 sailors, Marines, and Coast Guard members, including soldiers from Germany joined the celebration. For many, this was their first time in New York City.
"New York is, in a word, oh my gosh, overwhelming,” Naval PIO Rachel Jones from San Diego told 1010 WINS. “We got two hours of sleep and what got straight into our whites, got all dolled up and everything and we're running on pure adrenaline right now and honestly, I wouldn't have it any other way. It's so fun getting to meet all of these people."
Diana Kamara, a Staten Island native, shared her excitement, "My plan is to enjoy the small things that I miss living on board."
Fernando Gomez of Jackson Heights is eager to be a tour guide for his shipmates who have never visited New York City. "I want to show that New York is more than what they see on the screen. Go to my special place at the MoMA, show them art and all the beautiful things that New York has," he said.
The USS Bataan will be open to the public for tours starting Thursday morning.